Happy First Birthday to Baking a Moment, Classic Yellow Cake with Chocolate Frosting, and a Giveaway(!)

Celebrating Baking a Moment’s First Birthday with a Classic Yellow Buttermilk Layer Cake with Fudgy Chocolate Frosting, and a Giveaway from KitchenAid.

Even though I’ve been thinking about this post for months, here I am, finally sitting down to write it, at the last possible minute.

There’s just so much on my heart, it’s hard to even know where to begin!

The thing is, Baking a Moment is something I’ve put my whole heart into. On this day, and with pretty much every one of the 156 posts I’ve written, since starting this blog one year ago today.

It’s like my third child, and I love it. For so many reasons. I love it because it gives me a reason to get into my kitchen and challenge myself. I love it because it led me to photography, which is so fulfilling to me creatively. I love it because it helped me to realize how much I enjoy writing, too.

But most of all, I love it because it brought me to you. I hope that doesn’t come off sounding corny, because I mean it so sincerely. Creating a post is fun and exciting, and I totally lose myself in the process of building it, but it doesn’t hold a candle to that warm, happy feeling that comes over me when I return to it later, to find such sweet and kind and encouraging words from you, my readers.

Every single word I read from you, every single “like,” or “follow,” or “pin,” even just looking at my stats and knowing that you’re there, without ever even hearing a peep from you, is just such a tremendous joy to me.

So thank you. Thank you for reading. And thank you to the other bloggers who have welcomed me into this community so graciously. I feel so immensely proud and blessed to be a part of it!

Now. Enough of the mushy stuff! Let’s talk cake 😀

This is a straight-up, good old-fashioned yellow buttermilk cake with chocolate buttercream. Just like grandma used to make. Vintage. Diner-style. What could be better for a birthday celebration?! Am I right?

I based it off of my Even Simpler, More Perfect Vanilla Cupcake recipe, but used buttermilk instead of Greek yogurt. It bakes up incredibly moist. It’s got a beautifully fine crumb, and a gloriously buttery vanilla flavor. This will be your go-to yellow cake recipe, for sure. It really doesn’t get any better than this, my friends!

You can bake it in two 8-inch pans (double the recipe), or do like I did and get a smaller 6-inch diameter cake with thicker layers. I just love the look of a 6-inch cake.

To prevent the layers from puffing up too much in the oven and getting that big hump in the middle (that you’ll have to slice off and discard- nothing’s more sad than wasted cake!), bake it at a slightly lower temperature, and extend it’s time in the oven a bit to make up for it.

The frosting is an American-style buttercream, but with a slight twist. My heart belongs to Swiss meringue buttercream, and it probably always will, but this one takes a close second. There’s a little bit of cream cheese that just makes it so rich, and so fudgy. It really is a delicious recipe, and I found it in The Brown Betty Cookbook, which was written by the two women who founded the legendary Philadelphia bakery. Philly foodies, ftw!

Classic Yellow Cake with Chocolate Frosting

Celebrate the next Birthday or Special Occasion with this Classic Yellow Buttermilk Cake with Chocolate Buttercream Frosting.

Ingredients:

For the Yellow Cake:

1 cup cake flour

½ cup all purpose flour

½ cup granulated sugar

1 teaspoon baking powder

½ teaspoon baking soda

½ teaspoon kosher salt

½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened

2 large eggs

½ cup buttermilk

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

For the Chocolate Frosting:

3 ounces cream cheese, softened (the kind in a brick; I used full-fat)

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

½ cup unsalted butter, softened

½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder

2 teaspoons light corn syrup

3½ cups powdered sugar

2-3 tablespoons milk (I used 1%)

Directions:

To Make the Yellow Cake:

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Lightly mist (2) 6-inch cake pans with non-stick spray and line with parchment.

Place the first 6 (dry) ingredients in a large mixing bowl, and mix on low speed to combine.

Add the butter, stirring on low speed until the mixture resembles damp sand (about a minute).

Add the eggs, one at a time, scraping the sides and bottom of the bowl to be sure all of the ingredients are fully incorporated.

Add the buttermilk and vanilla extract. Stir until fully combined.

Divide the batter equally between the two pans, and bake for 40 minutes, or until a bamboo skewer inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs. Cool completely before frosting.

To Make the Chocolate Frosting:

Place the cream cheese and vanilla in a large mixing bowl and mix until smooth.

Add the butter and beat until combined.

Stir in the cocoa and corn syrup on low speed. Add the powdered sugar and beat until smooth.

Add the milk, a little at a time, while whipping, until the frosting reaches a spreadable consistency.

And now it’s time for me to put my money where my mouth is. I told you I loved you! I told you I appreciate you! Now I’m showing you just how much:

One very lucky reader will receive their very own, brand spankin’ new KitchenAid mixer, just like the one I use in my own kitchen. Almost every day. For close to fifteen years. I’m telling you, this thing is a workhorse! You will love having this beautiful, solidly built and powerful appliance in your kitchen. It’s like my right hand! HUGE thank you’s go to KitchenAid for providing this fabulous prize!

And huge thanks to the four other bloggers that you see there, that are also helping me to celebrate my first blog anniversary! These women have become my support system, and I love each one of them so much! We talk nearly every day and I feel so grateful that they have come into my life. They are all so hardworking, talented, and inspiring! Their blogs are fabulous! You should definitely subscribe 😉 Or at the very least, follow them using the PromoSimple widget below. It will get you extra entries for the giveaway if you do!

The giveaway: Eligible to one (1) winner residing in one of the 48 contiguous states. Must be 18 years of age to enter giveaway. Starts 8 am 6/12/2014 (EST time) and ends 7:59 am 6/26/2014 (EST time). To enter the giveaway, you must participate in at minimum, one of the listed entries in the Rafflecopter and an email address must be provided. Winner will be announced via email and must respond to the subject line: “Congratulations You’ve Won Baking a Moment’s KitchenAid Giveaway” from BakingAMoment@gmail.com within 24 hours of deliverance. Failure to respond will forfeit your chance in winning and a new winner will be chosen. KitchenAid will ship the product directly to the winner. Please be advised items may appear different from the photo shown. Baking a Moment and its owner are not held responsible for missing/broken items received by the winner. Good luck and thank you for your entries. There will be more fun recipes, as well as giveaways coming soon! See more at http://bakingamoment.com.

Good luck! And thank you so much for making Baking a Moment’s first year an amazing one!!! Here’s to year two 😉

*The Stand Mixer prize for this giveaway is being provided free of charge, by KitchenAid. All opinions stated here are straight from my heart.*

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Comments

Allie,
what a STUNNING cake. . so beautiful. . but I wouldn’t expect anything less from you. . so happy to have connected with you, not just as a fellow food blogger, but as a friend too. So thrilled to be here with you today to celebrate your 1st year anniversary. . it’s only going to get better and more awesome for you. . I know it. Cheers to you. . !!!

Thanks for pinning, Sarah! I love this kind of cake too- when I think of a birthday cake, this is what comes to my mind 😉 Thank you so much for all the sweet compliments- it really means so much coming from such a talented cook, baker, and blogger such as yourself. You inspire me, girlfriend!

Hi Allie – happy blog-birthday! It’s so hard to believe it’s only been a year, your blog is so well put together, your recipes and photos are amazing, I just assumed you were an old pro that had been “at it” for years!! I’d like to enter the contest but I won’t be able to claim the prize (in the off chance that I win…I never win anything!) so hopefully I can nominate someone in the US to give it to instead?

Of course Nagi! I’m so sorry I wasn’t able to do an international giveaway but by all means! Thanks so much for the sweet compliments. Truth be told, I have actually been blogging longer, but this is my first blog that’s all my own. And it’s been my main focus since I started it last year. It really is like my third child, lol!

Thanks, Kristine! I could hardly get over it either, lol! It’s a great recipe and that whole book is just full of stuff like that. Thanks so much for the sweet compliments, and for taking a moment to say hello! I’m so happy you are enjoying 😀

Happy blogiverary Allie! This must be so exciting for you. You’ve had a very successful first year and things will only continue to get better. I’ve been wondering when you were going to post a yellow cake recipe! 😉 Congrats, Allie!

Oh Allie, happy happy 1 year on your blog birthday! I am so happy to have gotten to know you this past year! You never cease to amaze me with all your stunning recipes – each one more creative and beautiful – including this incredible cake! Your boys and Mr. Allie are so lucky to have you because you are as sweet as all the treats you share with us and I am looking forward to following along through many more years to come sweet friend

I’m so happy to have gotten to know you too, Kelly! You have got to be one of the sweetest and most talented bakers I know. Your comments always put a smile on my face and warm my heart. Thank you so much for being so supportive and encouraging!

Congrats on one year!!! That’s soooo very exciting! I’m doing a happy dance for you!

This cake looks moist and delicious, but what I’m really eyeing is your frosting job! I’m loving those pretty swirls on top accented by the neat, smooth frosting on the sides. Well done blogging sister! Well done, indeed

Thank you my dear! Isn’t that cookbook just so great? I loved reading all the stories that are interspersed between the recipes. So happy you enjoyed the post, Natasha! Thanks for the sweet comment and have a lovely weekend!

Oh man, I hope you win it, Kayle! Just so I can drool over all the fabulous treats I know you’d be posting about on The Cooking Actress! Thanks so much for all the warm wishes and kind words. I’m so happy to have gotten to know you over the last year! 😀

This cake is stunning!!! And it is just perfect for your one year birthday. I am so so happy to be celebrating with you dear. I can’t imagine my blogging world without you and so glad I met you and can call you a friend I can’t wait to continue this journey with you!! Love you mucho 😉

I assumed you were an ‘older pro’, too, Allie! Can’t believe your blog is only a year old. HAPPY BLOGIVERSARY! And cheers to the next year (or 10!)
P.S. Beautiful cake – great to have a good recipe for such a useful classic.

Thanks Cake Pants! I was really pleased with the recipe. I’ve never been able to get a cake with a fine crumb like that to taste so moist and buttery. I’ll definitely be making it again! And thanks for the warm wishes! Hope you have a fun weekend 😉

Happy happy happy birthday, Baking a Moment! It is stunning to think you have only been doing this for a mere year. You’re such a pro, and everything from the site to the recipes to the photos is just flawless. Congratulations on a wonderful year, Allie! I truly can’t wait to see what you have in store for year two!!

I’m looking forward to it! It’s such a learning process, as I’m sure you know. I’m glad I was able to learn the ropes on my last blog before launching this one last year. Thanks so much for the kind words, Nora, and for being such a supportive friend to me! I’m so glad we were able to connect through our shared passion 😉

Congratulations Allie!! I love your blog and I really look forward to each and every post It’s a shame we live in different countries as your such a lovely person and a great bloggie friend! Btw, scrumptious cake you got there!

I know, and I totally agree! But thank goodness for the internet bringing friends together across the miles! You’ve been so supportive and encouraging to me, from day one! Thanks so much for all the kindness you’ve shown over the last year. xoxo

Happy blogiversary, dearest Allie! You are such a fabulous woman. I’m honoured to call you a friend and I’m so proud of you. This blog is incredible. Your photography skills are off the chain and everything you make has me drooling all over myself. Case in point – I’d kill for a slice of this perfect cake right now. I’m so glad that I had the chance to meet you in person (you’re the sweetest lady, ever) and I can’t wait until we get to meet again, hopefully sooner rather than later. Here’s to many many more years of Baking a Moment!

Aw, Nancy! The feeling is so totally mutual, girl! I’m so glad to have you in my life- you are such an inspiration! I hope we get a chance to hang out again IRL. Thanks so much for the sweet comment, love and hugs to you dear!

Came to visit your blog thanks to Zainab and what do I found, very yummylicious cake
Unfortunately I can’t participate in the raffle (although entered before realizing I’m not eligible..sorry), that would have been nice considered I don’t have a stand mixer at all.
Thasnksd any easy and beautiful blog you have..happy blogaversary and for many more years.

Fabulous!! Big congrats on your 1-Year Blog-iversary!!
WTG Allie!!
You have a wonderful site, I have made some of your recipes and I always get a thumbs up from hubby and friends, THANK YOU!!
Looking forward to many more great posts from you.

Happy 1st anniversary, Allie! I’m so glad I came across your blog because I absolutely love it — very inspiring and the photos are always gorgeous — just like this cake! This cake looks completely worthy of this special occasion and I wish I could reach in and grab a slice!

Thanks Marcie! And I feel exactly the same way about your blog. Your food always sounds so delicious and your photography is gorgeous! I’m so glad we were able to connect through blogging and cooking 😀

Happy happy happy blogiversary Allie! Yay, I am so glad that I found you (a year after you started) as you’ve created some incredible baking inspiration right here. I have no idea how you generated pretty much one post every 2 days – it took me almost two years to get to 100 posts! Anyway, may there be many more delicious years to come. Love this celebration cake. The glossy chocolate frosting looks to-die-for! x

ALLIE first of all!!!!!!!!!!! A VERYYYYYY HAPPPPPPYYYY 1ST BLOGIVERSARY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I absolutelyyyy LOOOUUUVVEEEE your blog and the photos that you take and the way you style your food is just SO STUNNING and veryyyyy INSPIRATIONAL!!!!! And I’M NOT EVEN EXAGGERATING!!! :* :* This cake is soooooooo gorgeous!!!!!!! I completely agree with you! Nothing beats a traditional cake made in old-school style and this has me droooling! Those layers are so massive and beautiful! I could have the entire cake all by myself! I don’t care about the consequences!!!! 😀

Congratulations on your first year of blogging, Allie! (We have almost the same blogiversary! 😉 ) I had no idea that you’ve only been blogging for a year…all of your recipes/photos/posts are AMAZING. And I totally get what you mean about pouring your whole heart into this little endeavor…it’s rather addictive, isn’t it? 😉 Here’s to many more fun years ahead…congrats again!

Allie, I’m so late, but it’s never too late to wish a very happy blogiversary to a friend! Blogland is so very lucky to have such a sweet and talented lady and I’m so happy that we met through our blogs. The cake looks stunning, as always! Thanks for the giveaway and all my best wishes for many more years of blogging sweetness and friendship. <3

Oh Allie this cake is my favorite classic (don’t be surprised if you see a similar one on my blog). I grew up with yellow cake and fudge frosting, from the box though. lol.
Well, here’s to you on your first year… Cheers! I can see many big things happening for you in the near future. PS: thank you so much for including me in your giveaway. So glad to be able to call us friends Love ya girl!

You too Connie! And it’s totally my favorite too- for the same reason! When I think of birthday cake this is what comes to my mind. Looking forward to seeing your version on URBAN BAKES, and thank you so much for helping me to celebrate!

Hi, looks like a wonderful cake!
Unfortunately, cake flour is not sold where I reside presently, do you think the cake would work if I used all All- purpose flour? Would it taste the same, be different, and how?

Hey Kris! Go ahead and try it with all-purpose flour, I don’t think the difference will be all that noticeable. Cake flour is milled from a harder wheat that is a bit less glutinous, so it makes for a lighter texture and a finer crumb. But I’m sure the cake will still be very tasty with regular flour. I hope you enjoy! And I’d love it if you’d stop back and let me know how it all works out for you.

Allie,
This cake looks stunning, I wanted to thank you finding your blog with your wonderful and talented creations has definitely inspired me to go back into baking and this recipe will definitely be the first of yours I try!
Thanks,
Miguel